Final evaluation of the community forestry accelerated impact project

The purpose of this final evaluation of the Community Forestry Project was to provide an analysis of successes and failures to guide USAID in decisions concerning a follow-on project. The ultimate goal of the project was the improvement of the rural community well being by achieving greater sustainability in agriculture and natural resource use through the creation of community woodlots and the promotion of agroforestry practices. The project was implemented over a 37-month period from 1982 to 1985. Three project nurseries were established and provided seedlings for plantings in all the villages of three sub- prefectures. The project expanded activities from simple woodlots on communal lands to include plantings for forage production and windbreaks on both communal and private lands. Six privately owned tree nurseries were established with project assistance. The basic self-help philosophy and approach of the project enjoyed excellent support from the Government of Guinea. The author found that local participation was very active and commented that the rapport between forestry agents and local populations in Guinea seemed much better than in most West African countries. The author notes that the main failure of the project was a technical problem of finding suitable tree species having the desired characteristics of rapid growth, soil improvement, forage production and adapted to the extremely acid, difficult soil conditions that prevail in the Fouta Djalon. Gmelina arborea, the main species planted, has performed poorly with very slow growth.

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